Gun control a burning debate with no easy solution

Will hunters like this one be restricted in future choice of firearms?

Gun safety and gun control are much in the news these days. Repercussions from the shootings in Connecticut are many. Let's take a closer look at the ramifications.

A boy points his finger at a playmate and is suspended from school.

A man is wounded when cleaning his loaded gun.

A homeowner chases and shoots a man who invaded his domain and he, himself, is charged with a crime.

Result: complaints that anything with a trigger should be banned. All guns are too dangerous. I have heard mothers I'm acquainted with make the statement, "Why allow guns at all? They should be kept out of all hands, save police and military."

What is the man -in-the-street reaction to this? (1) Fear that the federal government might violate the Second Amendment. (2) The next gun show will draw more people than ever. (3) Ditto for gun shops. (4) And target shooters will increase. Clearly, there are more folks now eager to own guns for whatever reason than even the National Rifle Assn. can keep up with.

True, guns do harm. As do automobiles. And alcohol. Or is it the people behind them? How do we control dangerous people in control of the above? Mental health checks? How can even a trained psychiatrist predict when a human being will depart from despondent to dangerous? Yes, say families of victims?something must be done. But what? If our main objective is to do away with anything harming other people, certainly we should ban alcohol. Those driving "under the influence" kill more people every year than guns.

Drugs, too. But then they are already against the law.

Ostensibly, the argument against guns does not include legal hunting weapons, be they rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders or other. Much has been directed against "assault" weapons. Missouri has even mandated that all such must be handed over within 90 days. But what is the definition of an "assault" weapon?

I've carried a .22 rifle since a kid. I was never given any formal instruction on how to use it. But how difficult is it? Don't point at anything you don't want to shoot. Keep the safety on until you do shoot. Don't carry a round in the firing chamber until ready to shoot. Common sense?

In the Army I packed a .45 pistol for eight months to guard the U.S. (registered) mail. I had no formal instruction with the assignment other than a few drills in basic training a year before. I never did have to take the weapon out of the holster. But clearly, although it acted as a deterrent. Same with officers patrolling schools.

Citizens, including housewives, carrying guns? I know a woman living alone who keeps a pistol under her pillow. One night a man tried to get into her bedroom. She told him, "Do not force that door open. I have a gun and I know how to use it." He went away and stayed away. The main thing is comfort level. A person, man or woman, who feels a gun is dangerous, rather than helpful, should not have one around. We read of children finding and handling guns who shoot someone. Parents must keep guns and ammo in separate places (or locked up) when they are gone. Never leave them lying around.

The bumper sticker which says "If we outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns" has merit. New laws will only inhibit the people who abide by the laws. We need to do a better job of enforcing laws we already have. Gun registration might help track down the illegal user who has stolen a weapon. But this will not likely prevent a gun shooting tragedy. It will only help track down the illegal user.

I see no reason why "attack" weapons need be possessed by the average citizen. But clearly, the NRA fears any infringement leading to precedent. Government can work in insidious ways to gain control of our lives. There is even talk nowadays of changing the Constitution because "it was written by old men long ago and needs changing." Such changes could erode the Second Amendment's Right to Bear Arms.

But here is the kicker: Chicago has the nation's most stringent gun laws, according to a Jan. 30, 2013 report in the Chicago Examiner. No handguns or assault weapons allowed. Strict registration. Despite this, Chicago has had the greatest number of homicides via firearms for the past few years. Sixty five children killed by shooting last year, more than 500 overall. Forty-four as of Feb. 15 this year. Meantime, homicides are down in cities like New York with fewer restrictions.

What does all this tell us?

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Gun control a burning debate with no easy solution

Gun safety and gun control are much in the news these days. Repercussions from the shootings in Connecticut are many. Let's take a closer look at the ramifications.